Coal seam methane for a cleaner energy future

Gas is the rising star in the Queensland Government’s transition to a cleaner energy future Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson, told the 30^th Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia conference in Brisbane this week.

“Coal seam methane is an integral part of Queensland’s future gas development,” Mr Wilson said.

Mr Wilson said coal seam methane supplies around 70 per cent of the gas market in Queensland and we are well placed to become an important source of gas for the rest of eastern Australia.

Production of coal seam gas in Queensland has increased from 2 petajoules in 2000, to 70 petajoules last year.

“The massive growth has been driven by our 13% Gas Scheme in 2000 which came into effect on 1 January 2005,” Mr Wilson said.

“Under the scheme, 13 per cent of all electricity sold in Queensland has to come from gas-fired generation.

“The 13% Gas Scheme has encouraged the petroleum industry to consider coal seam methane as a source of gas to meet this market opportunity.

“As well, the petroleum industry has demonstrated an ability to develop and adapt drilling technology to provide cost-effective ways to assess and develop these coal seam gas resources.

“The 13% Gas Scheme has delivered well over $1 billion of investment into Queensland’s coal seam gas industry,” he said.

Mr Wilson told the annual Queensland – Northern Territory Symposium that the government’s Climate Smart 2050 placed further focus on the growth of gas in Queensland.

“As part of Climate Smart 2050, we will increase the 13% Gas Scheme to 18 per cent by 2020.

“This initiative is a key plank in our strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

“Generating electricity using gas produces up to 50 per cent fewer emissions than conventional coal-fired generation, and gas gives Queensland the transitional step to lower emissions while clean coal technologies are being developed,” he said.

Media inquiries: Brooke Johnson (07) 3224 7332